Both fans of the late-60s/early-70s daytime soap opera 'Dark Shadows,' the actor and the filmmaker -- longtime friends and collaborators -- decided it was time to bring vampire Barnabas Collins to the big screen in their own version of 'Dark Shadows.'

As far back as he can remember, while he was growing up in Florida, John Christopher Depp (aka Johnny Depp) always had a fascination with vampires. "It’s a strange thing, because as a child I certainly had a fascination with monsters and vampires," he recalls. "And there was a feeling about learning about whatever is in the darkness -- the mystery and the intrigue. And then, as you get older, you sort of recognize the erotic nature of the vampire and this idea of the undead." Depp's obsession with the blood sucking monsters would be fueled by the classic, unconventional late-'60s/early-'70 daytime soap opera Dark Shadows -- which starred actor Jonathan Frid as the mysterious Dracula-like Barnabas Collins. "I loved Dark Shadows," Depp enthuses. "After school, I rushed home every day to watch it. It was great. I think I new Barnabas Collins better than I knew my own father."

While the Dan Curtis-produced TV soap opera (which eventually aired close to 1,2000 episodes) spawned two big screen adaptations of its own in the 1970s, interest in a Dark Shadows movie began to wane shortly after the soap left daytime TV in 1971. However, Depp always envisioned a film remake of Dark Shadows -- with him playing Barnabas Collins -- but, throughout the years, he couldn't seem to drum up enough interest from Tinsel Town execs into turning his idea into a major motion picture. "If you knew about the show, you either loved Dark Shadows or you hated it," Depp explains. "For a lot of people, it was a big part of their childhood. Over the past twenty years, though, a lot of people didn't even know what it was, so a lot of directors and producers would look at me like I was crazy when I mentioned it as a possible movie. So, after a while I stopped talking about it."

Johnny Depp and director Tim Burton discuss a scene in 'Dark Shadows'

Warner Bros.

Unbeknownst to Depp, his good friend and closest film collaborator -- director Tim Burton -- was also a big Dark Shadows fan. "I loved it as much as Johnny did," the filmmaker remembers. "But, no one saw it as being commercially viable." Over two decades, beginning in 1990, the actor and filmmaker would make a several movies together, including Alice In Wonderland, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Corpse Bride, Sleepy Hollow, Ed Wood and Edward Scissorhands. In 2006, while Depp and Burton were making their seventh film together, a big screen adaptation of the Broadway musical Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street, Depp decided to suggest a motion picture re-envisioning of his beloved Dark Shadows. "I think it was during Sweeney Todd where I just blurted out in mid-conversation, 'God, you know, we should do a vampire movie together," Depp recounts. "I said to Tim, 'You know, the kind of movie where you actually have a vampire that looks like a vampire. And Dark Shadows was kind of looming on the periphery. Then, Tim and I started talking about it. And then when Tim and I got together and started figuring out how it should be shaped, then (screenwriter) Seth (Grahame-Smith) came onboard, and the three of us just riffed, really. It’s just like one thing led to another. And it basically dictated to us what it wanted to be. You know, certainly with Tim kind of at the forefront of leading the troops."

Five years later, filming on Dark Shadows began -- with Burton in the director's chair and Depp playing his beloved childhood idol, Barnabas Collins. But the trio -- Johnny, Tim and Seth -- knew that it wasn't going to be easy turning a preexisting niche property into a feature film. "It was a real challenge, but probably more for Tim than me," Depp explains. "We all went into it trying to make that guy, that vampire, clearly a vampire, and fit back into this odd society and this dysfunctional family. I think Tim did it rather seamlessly."

Dark Shadows (available on Blu-ray + DVD beginning October 2) begins in the year 1750, when Joshua and Naomi Collins, with young son Barnabas, set sail from England to start a new life in America, where they build a fishing empire in the coastal Maine town that comes to carry their name: Collinsport. Two decades pass and Barnabas (Depp) has the world at his feet. The master of Collinwood Manor, Barnabas is rich, powerful and an inveterate playboy...until he makes the grave mistake of falling in love with a beauty named Josette DuPres (Bella Heathcote) and breaking the heart of Angelique Bouchard (Eva Green). A witch in every sense of the word, Angelique dooms him to a fate worse than death -- turning him into a vampire, and then burying him alive.

Nearly two centuries later, Barnabas is inadvertently freed from his tomb and emerges into the very changed world of 1972, a stranger in an even stranger time. Returning to Collinwood Manor, he finds that his once-grand estate has fallen into ruin, and the dysfunctional remnants of the Collins family have fared little better, each harboring their own dark secrets. Family matriarch Elizabeth Collins Stoddard (Michelle Pfeiffer) is the one person Barnabas entrusts with the truth of his identity. But his rather odd and anachronistic behavior immediately raises the suspicions of the live-in psychiatrist, Dr. Julia Hoffman (Helena Bonham Carter), who has no idea what kind of problems she's really digging up.

MIchelle Pfeiffer as Elizabeth Collins in 'Dark Shadows'

Warner Bros.

As Barnabas sets out to restore his family name to its former glory, one thing stands in his way: Collinsport's leading denizen, who goes by the name Angie -- and who bears a striking resemblance to a very old acquaintance of Barnabas Collins. Also residing in Collinwood Manor are Elizabeth's ne'er-do-well brother, Roger Collins, (Jonny Lee Miller); her rebellious teenage daughter Carolyn Stoddard (Chloë Grace Moretz); and Roger's precocious 10-year-old son, David Collins (Gully McGrath). The longsuffering caretaker of Collinwood is Willie Loomis (Jackie Earle Haley), and new to the Collins' employ is David's nanny, Victoria Winters (Bella Heathcote), who is, mysteriously, the mirror image of Barnabas' one true love, Josette.

When it came to physically portraying Barnabas Collins, 49-year-old Depp openly admits he played it fairly close to the vest -- at times even mimicking actor Jonathan Frid's interpretation of the ancient vampire. "For me, approaching Barnabas, even in the early days of trying to explore the possibilities of the character, no matter where you went in your head, if you tried to veer away from the original Jonathan Frid character, it didn't work," Depp explains. "It was apparent to both Tim and myself that it had to be rooted in Jonathan Frid’s character of Barnabas. It just had to be. It was so classic and the sort of classic monster like Fangoria magazine or that kind of thing. So, in terms of that, I mean Jonathan did have, when he was playing Barnabas, there was a kind of rigidity to him. Kind of the pole up the back, the elegance that was always there. When Tim and I talked early on, we were like, 'A vampire should look like a vampire.' And it was kind of a rebellion against vampires that look like, sort of underwear models and stuff. So, there was Barnabas and a bit of Nosferatu."

Johnny Depp is Barnabas Collins in 'Dark Shadows'

Warner Bros.

Towards the end of filming of Dark Shadows, Canadian-born Jonathan Frid, and many of the original actors from the soap opera, would visit the set to spend some time with Depp and play small cameos in the movie. Needless to say, Depp, the star of the billion dollar-grossing, box office hit film franchise -- Pirates Of The Caribbean -- was thrilled to meet his boyhood hero. "It was great," Depps beams, while recalling his first meeting with Frid. "I thought it was great of Tim to sort of bring them into the fold, and it was our way of saluting them. And Jonathan was terrific. He had sort of already written me a letter a couple years before and signed a photograph to me that was sort of passing the baton of Barnabas to me, which I thought was very sweet. You know, I wasn’t sure whether he was going to…he had his cane with him, his original Barnabas cane. I wasn’t sure when he actually saw me if he was going to attack me with it. He didn’t."

"It was great, I mean it was like having the Pope come visit," Burton says of Frid's appearance on the set. "I think for us that’s part of the reason we were there is because those people inspired us. So, I mean it was nice to see them back in their early-’70s clothing. It was good." (Frid would pass away at the age of 87, one month before the May 2012 opening of the film).

In a summer movie season that would be filled with big action, superhero movies like The Avengers, The Amazing Spiderman and The Dark Knight Rises, Burton says he didn't feel any pressure to make sure the final box office tally for Dark Shadows would be an enormous one. "First of all, it’s a bit presumptuous to think that anything -- if something works out that’s one thing, but you can’t ever predict that," Burton says. "It doesn't have a massive built-in following, so that had more to do with the fact of the sort of soap opera kind of structure of it. I made it for the fans. Like I said before, there’s Dark Shadows fans and then there’s everybody else. And you can’t really make it with really projecting what you think it’s going to be. So, you just try to make a movie. First of all, we make a movie that we wanted to see. And then you just hope for the best."

Depp, Burton, Michelle Pfeiffer and several members of the cast gathered together in a massive, palatial Beverly Hill's hotel ballroom -- this past May -- to talk about the making of Dark Shadows.

Tim, conventional wisdom would indicate that you would have been the originator of this project as a feature film. But I understand that it was Johnny, your long-time collaborator, who brought it to your attention.

Burton: "Yes. I mean we, we’ve talked about it I think for many years. But I think this is the first project that I remember for Johnny where he sort of said that…I think he wanted to play this ever since you were a little boy."

Burton: "But I mean it’s one of those kind of things where the show had a lot of impact, I mean, for some of us. I mean Johnny and Michelle (Pfeiffer) and I were, you know, kind of there at the time when it came out. So, it we just recall it being a very strong, interesting property. But yeah, I mean I think it’s something with Johnny that he’s had for a long time."

Johnny, how does Barnabas fit in your gallery of very weird, offbeat characters that you’ve played? And what did you find is the key to playing him?

Depp: "What I wanted Barnabas to come across as is, you know, again there is some kind of thread throughout all these characters. I mean, the idea of this very elegant upper echelon sort of well-schooled, you know, kind of gentleman who was cursed in the 18th Century and was brought back to probably the most surreal era of our time, in the 1970s, -- 1972. You know, how he would react to things and how radically different things were not just with regard to technology and automobiles and such. But I mean actual items of kind of enjoyment for people like pet rocks and fake flowers and plastic fruit, Troll dolls, and lava lamps. Yeah. That was the kind of…"

Burton: "The important things in life. And macramé. Let’s not forget that."

Depp: "Oh yeah, and the macramé owls are my favorite."

Burton: "Michelle will be selling them in the gift shop on your way out."

Barnabas and the Collins family of Collingswood in 'Dark Shadows'

Warner Bros.

Johnny, weren't you just directed by Paul McCartney in one of his music videos? How was that?

Depp: "The McCartney thing, I’ve known him on and off over the years, you know. And, and ran into him and then he gave me a call and asked if I would be interested in being in his video. 'Certainly. You know, let’s do it.' It was a yes. I had to learn the sign language thing, which apparently…I don’t know. Someone…I think sign language is apparently very…you know, it’s not rote and it’s all kind of different. And apparently I said instead of love I think I might have said murder. But I was only copying what the guy showed me. So, track him down." (laughs)

Tim, you and Michelle Pfeiffer have reteamed for the first time in 20 years, after doing Batman Returns together. How did that collaboration come about?

Burton: "It was weird because it reminded me how much I love working with Michelle. It was like a long time ago but…and then…but it just flooded back because I never really watch the movies again. But it sort of flooded back like how impressed I remember being with Michelle. Like she learned how to use a whip and jump around on roofs in high-heeled shoes. Let live birds fly out of her mouth. I mean very impressive stuff. So, I mean it was a real joy to get a call from Michelle and find out she was a closet Dark Shadows fan. I knew she was weird but now it confirmed the whole situation, which was great because between Michelle and Johnny…I mean we were the only ones, I think, on the cast that knew Dark Shadows. I don’t know if I showed it to anybody else, because you can’t really show Dark Shadows to anybody else that doesn’t know it because they’d probably run screaming out of the room. So, it was nice that Michelle was playing the head of the family, and it just made me realize how much that I enjoyed working with her. You know, she did have trouble walking down the stairs. Some people’s powers that diminish."

Pfeiffer: "I did. My first day of shooting he had me in eight inch platform shoes walking down that treacherous staircase. I wasn’t allowed to look down."

Burton: "They didn’t look down in Dynasty or Dallas. I’ve never seen them look down at the steps."

Pfeiffer: "Great laughs at my expense from Mr. Burton."

Director Tim Burton and Michelle Pfeiffer on the set of 'Dark Shadows'

Warner Bros.

Michelle, you phoned Tim?

Pfeiffer: "I did. Yeah. I shamelessly called him."

Burton: "She doesn’t even call to ever say hello. So, that was a real major…"

Pfeiffer: "I said, 'Give me a job after 20 years.' No. It was really horrible. It’s not done and I don’t think I would have had the courage working with a mutual…did you know this? I was working with a mutual friend of ours. She knew how much I wanted to be in this movie and she kept egging me on to call him. I don’t think I would have had the courage to do it. At that point, I mean I don’t even know if there was a script really at that point. It was sort of really…"

Burton: "Yeah. It was beforehand."

Pfeiffer: "Yeah. So, I didn’t even know if there was a part for me. And it had been so long since I had seen the series and I didn’t even remember. I just said, "If there’s anything I want to throw my hat in the ring." Then I hung up. I thought, oh, I’ll never hear from him again. But I did."

Johnny, could you talk about where you were in 1972? Also, what was your first bite as a vampire like?

Depp: "‘72, I mean the memory is, is like lime green leisure suits and macramé owls, you know, earth shoes. Yeah. Just weird things that, you know, didn’t make sense then and still don’t. What was the next part of the question?"

Depp and Pfeiffer in 'Dark Shadows'

Warner Bros.

Your first bite as a vampire. What was that like to do? Was it fun?

Depp: "Well, it was kind of like…you know…"

Burton: "How was your bite of that big construction worker? "

Depp: "We’ll go back to the erotic nature of vampires. You know, I felt as though I was biting one of the Village People."

Burton: "Then he went on to the biker and then the cowboy. He keeps moving on."

Depp: "The cop."

Burton: "Yeah. You got them all."

Depp: "Yeah. No. I mean when you had the…when I had the fangs in you wanted to be a little bit careful that you didn’t actually pierce the jugular, kind of like, kind of like my experience shaving Alan Rickman, which by the way neither of us want to do again, especially Alan."

In most Hollywood movies, we usually hear bad pop music. In this case you have Black Sabbath and the Stooges. I mean that’s pretty interesting for a mainstream movie. Tim, why did you chose these bands and, of course, get Alice Cooper to be part of the movie?

Burton: "Well, I mean setting it in 1972 was important. We just went through all the music of that year. Just doing that research reminded me of being…I must have been quite ill that year of ’72 because I just remember that music on the…like being sick and having a fever and hearing all that kind of music on the AM radio over and over again. And it was…you know, that’s why it was so strange. It was strange…it felt strange at the time and it still feels strange. You know, that’s the weird thing about that. But the quality of music, the kind of going from everything from really kind of cheesy pop to really kind of cool, hardcore stuff, I mean it was a weird year for music. You know, I mean I remember Alice Cooper being quite a strong influence to me at that time. And he looks exactly the same now, which is really scary. I mean, really. I mean Arizona must do wonders. I don’t know. But, but it was important to kind of, to use. So, we really, you know, a lot of interesting music in 1972. But we tried to treat it like score. We didn’t try to treat it like, 'Oh, let’s just throw in songs.'"

Depp and Burton on the set of 'Dark Shadows'

Warner Bros.

Michelle, we’re all about to see another Catwoman in The Dark Knight Rises. What are your thoughts on Anne Hathaway’s Selina Kyle in the clips that you’ve seen so far?

Johnny, is your Barnabas using the cane from the original design on the TV show?

Depp: "It’s pretty much the same design. It’s slightly altered but pretty much the same design. It’s not a silver-tipped cane because my hand would have burst into flames, which would have lit my sleeves on fire. So, we couldn’t go there. Thank you very much." (laughs)

Johnny, was the influence of Dan Curtis -- after working on Dark Shadows -- what caused you to decide you want to do The Night Stalker next?

Depp: "Again, that’s another…"

Burton: "Or The Winds of War."

Depp: "Yeah. That’s next. Although, I was thinking of throwing my name into the ring for Catwoman. Anne Hathaway, damn it. (laughs) I’m sorry. I’m too upset to answer the question. Dan Curtis…Winds of War…yeah. The Night Stalker was another one that from Dark Shadows, The Night Stalker kinda appeared. And it was a show that I really loved. You know, again, there’s this weird tone to it. This reporter becomes a kind of detective in these really odd situations. Yeah. I think Dan Curtis was a great, great influence."

Depp as Barnabas Collins in 'Dark Shadows'

Warner Bros.

Tim, what did you think were the key elements that you wanted to bring from the original series? And what did you thought it was pivotal to stay fresh into a 2012 film?

Burton: "Well, I mean it’s a tricky tone. I mean we all recognized it. I mean when we talked about Dark Shadows, part of its appeal was the weird nature of all the elements that went into it. You know, the very serious, it was on the in afternoon on a daily basis. So, there were certain elements that why we love the show but you couldn’t necessarily adopt to a film. So, it was the weirdest challenge, which was to get the kind of acting tone, the kind of sort of soap opera nature of the tone, which like I said, is a weird thing to go for in a Hollywood movie. So, it’s not like you go to a studio and go we want to do kind of weird soap opera acting. They’d go, ‘oh, great. Whatever that means.’ So, it was an odd challenge to get. But that’s why I so grateful to all of the cast because even the ones that didn’t know the show kind of got into the spirit of it, which is what made it Dark Shadows. We were trying to capture the spirit of what the show was."

Warner Bros.

Dark Shadows Blu-ray Combo Pack Bonus Features: "Becoming Barnabas" - Get the scoop from directly from Johnny Depp on his reimagining of this infamous and undead cult character; "Welcome To Collinsport" - Explore every strange nook and peculiar cranny of the most spectacularly detailed city to never exist; "A Melee Of Monstrous Proportions" - Join the fight and experience the thrilling final battle sequence in a way that only Burton and Depp could imagine; "Angelique: A Witched Scorned" - Depp and Eva Green reveal the lurid details of their character's centuries old lascivious and tumultuous relationship; "Reliving A Decade" - From groovy bell bottoms to classic rock & roll, strut through the Collinsport of the 70s and discover the topsy-turvy world that Barnabas finds himself in after centuries in the grave; "Dark Shadows Secrets" - Watch out for exploding buildings and all manner of bizarre, supernatural occurrences as Burton's spectacular props and special effects wizards bring this eccentric world to crazy life; "The Collinses: Every Family Has Its Demons" - Become scarily familiar with this creepy cast of quirky characters as Depp, Helena Bonham Carter and their co-stars reveal their unique working relationship; "Cooper Rocks Collinsport" - Shock rock the night away with the master of musical horror himself, Alice Cooper, as Depp and the cast invite him to rock the roof off of Collinsport Manor; "Vampires, Witches and Werewolves, Oh My God!" - Uncover the method behind Burton's madness as he twists and tweaks his favorite classic movie monsters for the gothic universe of Dark Shadows and Deleted Scenes; ON THE NET: Visit the Official Dark Shadows Site @ http://darkshadows2012.com * Check out the Dark Shadows Journal Online, which features Dark Shadows news, information, beginner's tips and 40th Anniversary Site news and announcements @ www.collinwood.net * Watch the Official Dark Shadows Trailer @ http://youtu.be/V0STiYZh5QEDark Shadows is available on Blu-ray + DVD beginning October 2, 2012.

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Marvel/WDSHE

The Avengers

The third highest-grossing movie of all time and the #1 movie in the world, Marvel’s The Avengers is now available on assembles Blu-ray 3DT, Blu-ray & DVD. In anticipation of this release, Marvel is also launching an all-new App in July - “The Avengers Initiative: A Marvel Second Screen App” (available for the first time on iPhone) – that gives fans unprecedented access to exclusive content building up to the home entertainment release. Marvel’s The Avengers crossed the incredible $600 million domestic box office threshold on June 26 – only the third film in history to do so. It has now grossed an estimated $1.44 billion globally. Visit the Marvel Universe via the all-new “The Avengers Initiative: A Marvel Second Screen App.” By downloading this onto a secondary device, consumers will be able to gain unprecedented access to exclusive content building. Content includes special access to the S.H.I.E.L.D. database, becoming a S.H.I.E.L.D. agent, invitations to “special missions” either remotely or in the field, links to character profiles, stories and scenes, interactive Marvel digital reader comic books and more. App owners will receive push notifications whenever new content is uploaded and available for their viewing. 2-Disc Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD) Bonus Features: "Assembling the Ultimate Team"; "Audio Commentary—With Joss Whedon"; Second Screen; "A Visual Journey"; "Gag Reel"; Deleted Scenes and the Soundgarden music video for “Live to Rise” and more. ON THE NET: For more on The Avengers, go to the Official Marvel Site @ http://marvel.com/avengers

Acorn

The Crimson Petal and the White

This new provocative period drama boasts a stellar cast and a boldly original look and feel. The Crimson Petal and the White, based on Michel Faber’s international bestseller, this BBC psychological thriller won three Royal Television Society awards and was nominated for five 2012 BAFTAs, including best miniseries and best actress. The gripping drama follows the fortunes of Sugar (Romola Garai, The Hour, Atonement, Emma), an ambitious prostitute, as she navigates the dark underbelly of Victorian London in pursuit of a better life. Enter a Victorian England you’ve never seen: gritty, dark, and unsettling – a place where violence and madness lurked everywhere. Sugar, a sexually adept, ambitious, and clever prostitute, who casts a spell on William Rackham (Chris O’Dowd), feckless heir to a perfume business and husband to a wife slipping slowly into insanity. As their lives intertwine, events are set in motion that will change them forever. The miniseries co-stars Chris O'Dowd (Bridesmaids, The IT Crowd, and Judd Apatow’s upcoming film This is 40), Gillian Anderson (Bleak House, The X-Files), Amanda Hale (Bright Star), Shirley Henderson (Harry Potter, Bridget Jones's Diary), and Richard E. Grant (Gosford Park). Critics called Garai "electric," O’Dowd "a revelation," and Amanda Hale "brilliant" as Rackham’s wife, Agnes. With Gillian Anderson as monstrous madam Mrs. Castaway and Richard E. Grant as creepy Dr. Curlew, "this striking Gothic melodrama…[is] lurid in the best sense." The Crimson Petal and the White launched Encore’s “The Big Miniseries Showcase." DVD Bonus Features: Deleted scenes; interviews with Romola Garai and Chris O’Dowd, director Marc Munden, and key crew members and character biographies. ON THE NET: For more on The Crimson Petal and the White, head to the Official Acorn Site @ http://www.acornonline.com/

Fox

The Do-Deca-Pentathlon

Two grown men take sibling rivalry to new heights of hilarity in this winning comedy with heart. All bets are off during a family reunion when estranged brothers Mark (Steve Zissis) and Jeremy (Mark Kelly) secretly resurrect a decades-old quest to be the best. Determined to complete 25 outrageous events in order to crown a true champion, the exhausted pair find themselves leg wrestling, ping-ponging, and laser tagging to the finish line...while learning a few life lessons along the way. Written and directed by the comically competitive Duplass Brothers (Cyrus), The Do-Deca-Pentathlon brings home the gold -- and the laughs! Bonus Features: "Meet the Real Brothers" and "Rock, Paper, Scissors With The Real Brothers." ON THE NET: For trailers, clips and more, go to www.traileraddict.com/trailer/do-deca-pentathlon/trailer

Sony

Damsels In Distress

From Academy Award-nominee Whit Stillman (Best Writing, Original Screenplay, Metropolitan, 1990) comes the intelligently witty comedy Damsels In Distress.The film is a charming yet quirky tale about a group of beautiful, female college students and their misguided ways of helping to cure their depressed classmates with a program of good scents and musical dance numbers. Damsels In Distress follows a trio of beautiful girls who set out to revolutionize life at a grungy East Coast College -- the dynamic leader Violet Wister (Greta Gerwig), principled Rose (Megalyn Echikunwoke) and sexy Heather (Carrie MacLemore). They welcome transfer student Lily (Analeigh Tipton) into their group, which seeks to help severely depressed students with a program of good hygiene and musical dance numbers. The girls become romantically entangled with a series of men -- including slick Charlie (Adam Brody), dreamboat Xavier (Hugo Becker) and the mad frat boys Frank (Ryan Metcalf) and Thor (Billy Magnussen) -- who threaten the girls?' friendship and sanity. Blu-ray Bonus Features: Commentary with Writer/Director Whit Stillman and Cast; Deleted Scenes; Outtakes; "Damsels in Distress: Behind the Scenes" and "An Evening with Damsels in Distress: Q&A with Whit Stillman and Cast. ON THE NET: To see the Damsels in Distress Official movie trailer in HD -- starring Greta Gerwig, Adam Brody, Analeigh Tipton, Megalyn Echikunwoke and Carrie MacLemore, go to YouTube @www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yJfVnmd6BI

Paramount/Comedy Central

Key & Peele: Season One

The Complete First Season of the hit sketch series Key & Peele is hilarious and fun. Want to meet Luther, President Obama’s anger translator? Or hang by the punch bowl with bar mitzvah sensations Dr. Dreidel and Gefilte Fresh? Whether it’s satirizing the president, spoofing Nazis, or ordering up some soul food, Key & Peele aren’t afraid to take on taboo subjects for the sake of comedy. Not that you need another reason, but if you don’t buy this Blu-ray/DVD, you’re racist. Blu-ray Bonus Features: "More from Luther, Obama’s Anger Translator"; Outtakes; Poolside Interview; Live at South Beach Comedy Festival and Audio Commentaries. ON THE NET: For clips, videos, cast info and more, visit the Official Comedy Central Site @ www.comedycentral.com/shows/key-and-peele *A DVD/Blu-ray exclusive clip is available @ http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KwZReQ1z-vk&list=UUUsN5ZwHx2kILm84-jPDeXw&index=1&feature=plcpSeason Two of Key & Peele premieres on September 26, 2012. (Check local listings)

Warner Archive

The Five Man Army

Gunmen join forces to rob a dictator's gold shipment. Where this army leads, action fans – especially Spaghetti Western fans – will want to follow. Set during the Mexican Revolution, The Five Man Army is a niftily executed tale of mercenaries who, on behalf of rebel forces, take on a mission to rob a trainload of gold. Make that a suicide mission, because this train is heavily armored; armed with troops, cannon and machine guns, and traveling a route guarded by more soldiers. Peter Graves, then known for his role as mastermind Jim Phelps in TV’s Mission: Impossible, faces another odds-defying task as the Dutchman, leader of a handpicked commando squad consisting of a strongman, an explosives expert, a circus acrobat and a Samurai swordsman. Famed composer Ennio Morricone’s throbbing score amplifies the action of this ready-to-be-rediscovered film that, writes The New York Times’ Vincent Canby, is “for anybody who enjoys lean, taut suspense with no fiddling around.” All aboard! ON THE NET: For more information on The Five Man Army, go to the Warner Archive Official Site @ www.wbshop.com/category/wbshop_brands/warner+archive.do

ABC/WDSHE

Desperate Housewives: The Complete Eighth And Final Season

It's the final climactic season of the iconic series that redefined life in the suburbs -- Desperate Housewives! The stakes are higher than ever as the world's most celebrated housewives are united by their involvement in the murder of Gaby's loathsome stepfather. And the desperation mounts when Bree receives an anonymous "I know what you did" message worded identically to Mary Alice's fateful note. Meanwhile, Renee tries to spark up some romance with hot new Aussie neighbor Ben, Lynette and Tom navigate the rough waters of their separation and Susan jumps headfirst into a "relationship" with a volatile art professor who is determined to draw out her wilder side. Ultimately, the suspense builds to a fever pitch when Bree is arrested and tried for murder! Mysteries will be solved, relationships are tested and the excitement is at an all-time high. Kiss the ladies of Wisteria Lane goodbye! Desperate Housewives features the iconic ensemble cast of Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Marcia Cross, Felicity Huffman, Brenda Strong and James Denton. DVD Bonus Features: "I Guess This Is Goodbye: Take One Last Stroll down Wisteria Lane With Members Of The Desperate Housewives Family As They Reflect On When The Past Eight Seasons Have Meant to Them"; Final Commentary; Bloopers and Deleted Scenes. ON THE NET: For clips, videos, trivia game, photos and more, visit the Official ABC Site @ http://abc.go.com/shows/desperate-housewives

CBS/Paramount

Touched By An Angel: The Sixth Season

A trio of angels Monica (Roma Downey), Tess (Della Reese), and Andrew (John Dye) are dispatched from heaven with a special mission: to inspire people facing sometimes unseen crossroads in their lives. Monica, an angel who at times still needs some guidance with her earthly assignments, reports to Tess, her tough, wise and always loving supervisor. Also on hand is Andrew, who, in addition to his duties as the Angel of Death, now helps out as a caseworker on various assignments. Gloria, an angel for the 21st century, continues to seek guidance from Monica performing her angelic duties. While the angels may not bring solutions to every problem, they always deliver a message of hope. ON THE NET: Watch full length episodes & video clips. Read the latest Touched By an Angel episode guides & recaps, fan reviews, news, and much more @ www.tv.com/shows/touched-by-an-angel

Breaking Glass

Del Shores: Sordid Confessions

Del Shores is best known for his 2001 cult-classic film turned TV series Sordid Lives. Shores' other works include his GLAAD award-winning play Southern Baptist Sissies; Ovation & Lost Angeles Drama Critics Circle award-winning play turned film The Trials and Tribulations Of A Trailer Trash Housewife which debuts in movie theaters in 2012; MGM's 1990 classic Daddy's Dyin' (Who's Got The Will?); and his 2010 hit play Yellow which won the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Award in 2011 for Best Production of the Year. DVD Bonus Features: Behind the Scenes featurette; Audience interviews and Bonus Footage -- the poster photo shoot. ON THE NET: ON THE NET: For more on Del Shores: Sordid Confessions visit the Official Site @ www.breakingglasspictures.com * On Facebook @ www.facebook.com/BreakingGlassPictures * See more about Del Shores at YouTube @ www.youtube.com/OfficialBGP

Lionsgate

The Letter

Martine Jamison (Winona Ryder) is a NY theatre director beginning rehearsals for a new play starring her boyfriend Raymond (Josh Hamilton) opposite a young beauty. They are joined by an unknown newcomer, Tyrone (James Franco) who develops a peculiar fascination for Martine and is openly hostile to all others. As rehearsals continue, Martine has periods of disorientation that quickly deteriorate into vivid hallucinations as she becomes convinced someone is trying to poison her. As Martine's mental state devolves, she begins to rewrite her play... and art and life become inseparable. The Jay Anania The Letter also stars Katherine Waterston and Marin Ireland. Bonus Feature: Theatrical Trailer. ON THE NET: For clips and trailers for The Letter, head to YouTube and type in "The Letter."

Breaking Glass

Twisted Romance

Roberto is a bored young man living with his family in the suburbs of Buenos Aires who begins a relationship with an older man named Raúl. Their romance takes a disturbing turn after Raúl catches Roberto with another man and turns increasingly abusive. In spite of Raul's violent sexual behavior, Roberto continues to see him, and the two form a bizarre relationship. Directed by Jose Celestino Campusano, Twisted Romance stars Oscar Genova, Nehuen Zapata and Marisa Pajaro. Twisted Romance was an Official Selection at NewFest: New York LGBT Film Festival, Mix Mexico Festival and London Lesbian & Gay Film Festival. ON THE NET: For more on Twisted Romance visit the Official Site @ www.breakingglasspictures.com * On Facebook @ www.facebook.com/BreakingGlassPictures * See more about Twisted Romance at YouTube @ www.youtube.com/OfficialBGP

Magnolia

Yoga Is: A Transformational Journey

Suzanne Bryant thought she had it all, until her beloved mother passed away from cancer. While trying to process and understand her grief, she turned to a deeper practice of yoga and embarked on an incredible journey. Yoga Is: A Transformational Journey features conversations with yoga gurus, teachers and celebrity yoga devotees such as Russell Simmons, Christy Turlington-Burns, musician Michael Franti and Buddhist scholar Robert Thurman. The film also follows Suzanne on a trip to India to explore the power of this ancient practice that is currently studied by thirty million Americans and countless millions worldwide. It is during her visit in India that she discovers what yoga is. Yoga Is also features Sharon Gannon, David Life, Seane Corn, Shiva Rea, Alan Finger, Ana Forrest, Baron Baptiste, Cyndi Lee, Sri Dharma Mittra, Eddie Modestini, Elise Browning Miller, Erich Schiffmann, Gurmukh, Krishna Das, Nicki Doane, David Raye and Shyam Das. DVD Bonus Features: Additional Interviews and trailers. ON THE NET: Visit the Official Yoga Is Site @ www.yogais.com

Lionsgate

Any Last Words?

No one is safe from thyself in this new gritty action-packed western, Any Last Words? Based on the life of Bat Masterson, a real life cowboy from the late 1800s, Any Last Words? has Bat, at a critical juncture, taking a look back at his life to decide if he should make the biggest decision of his life, to live or die. This classic American tale stars Tom Lagleder (The Fulfillment of Mary Gray), Paul Tinder (Frankie and Johnny) and Dimitrius Pulido (Machete). After a violent war has broken out between the Cowboys and Native Americans, Bat Masterson (Lagleder) finds himself lying on the ground, badly wounded, after a heroic showdown. Shot and on the brink of death he is visited by Mobius (Tinder). As Mobius consoles him they revisit Bat's choices and how they have defined his life. He'll be left to make his toughest choice yet, whether to live and fight or die. DVD Bonus Features: Behind-the-scenes featurette and "Composing the Score" featurette. ON THE NET: For clips and trailers, head to YouTube and type in "Any Last Words?"

Gaiam/Vivendi

Iron Man: Armored Adventures, Season Two, Volume Two

Enjoy all-new adventures with Iron Man: Armored Adventures Season 2, Volume 2. Join teenage genius Tony Stark, when he returns with six explosive episodes proving that anything is possible when you’re a Super Hero. Iron Man: Armored Adventures follows Tony Stark, 16-year-old inventor and heir to the billion-dollar corporation Stark International, as he battles the enemies of world peace with his revolutionary armor technology. Growing up, Tony had always lived a life of luxury, but everything went horribly wrong when a tragic plane accident robbed him of his father and nearly cost him his own life. Eager to honor the memory of his dad, Tony now uses his suit of invincible armor and technical know-how to protect those who would also fall prey to tragedy, corruption and conspiracy. With help from his friends Rhodey and Pepper Potts, Tony’s activities as Iron Man result in nonstop high-octane action. Team up with Tony Stark and his friends in the next 6 episodes of Season 2, as he continues his fierce battle to prevent the stolen Iron Man technology from being used for evil. Iron Man faces an enemy like none other when the villainous Doctor Doom sets his sights on the Iron Man tech. The battle continues, as Iron Man must face the might of Titanium Man and Iron Monger. Witness Iron Man’s first meeting with the Black Widow and Hawkeye. It’s hard to tell who is friend or foe but rest assured that Iron Man won’t be deceived! So suit up in your best armor and join Iron Man in the heroic adventure of a lifetime! ON THE NET: Head to the Official Marvel Site for more on Iron Man: Armored Adventures @ marvel.com/news/story/19438/iron_man~colon~_armored-adventures

NOW AVAILABLE ON BLU-RAY:

Warner Bros.

The Devil’s Advocate: The Unrated Director’s Cut

The newest attorney at the world's most powerful law firm has never lost a case. But he's about to lose his soul. Hotshot attorney Kevin Lomax's 64-0 case record has brought him a tempting offer from an elite New York firm. But the job Lomax accepts isn't what it seems. The Devil is in the details. In this gleeful, modern gothic fable, Keanu Reeves plays eager Lomax and Al Pacino is the charismatic firm founder who knows there are cases to be won...and souls to be lost. From Lomax's court triumphs and skyrocket rise to its double twist ending, the Taylor Hackford-directed The Devil's Advocate is red-hot entertainment. Lomax's life, wife (Charlize Theron) and soul are on the line. He's landed a job that's Heaven on Earth...which can lead him straight to Hell. Blu-ray Bonus Features: Feature-Length Audio Commentary with Director Taylor Hackford and Deleted Scenes. ON THE NET: Official WB Shop Link @ http://bit.ly/Q00DTe * Official Facebook Page @ https://www.facebook.com/pages/The-Devils-Advocate/306289796105371 * View the video clips "Puppeteer" @ http://youtu.be/1Pv8L4Lnc0E and "Blood Money" @ http://youtu.be/GX512hzQ6DA

Warner Bros.

Queen of the Damned

It's her time. Her place. The wickedly regal Mother of All Vampires is ready again to rule! Aaliyah plays the title role in this stylish shocker based on Anne Rice's The Vampire Chronicles. Stuart Townsend portrays Lestat, the undead antihero previously seen in the movie version of Anne Rice's Interview with the Vampire. This time, Lestat finds acceptance in a tattooed and pierced world. He's a rock star. And his intoxicating Goth-riffed sound rekindles the desires of all-powerful Akasha. Blu-ray Bonus Features: "Aaliyah Remembered"; 2 Documentaries: "Creating The Vampires" and "The Music Of Lestat"; Commentary With Director Michael Rymer, Producer Jorge Saralegui and Composer Richard Gibbs; 13 Additional Scenes; Gag Reel; 3 Full Length Lestat Music Videos; Static X Cold Music Video and Extended "Slept So Long" and "Not Meant For Me" Concert Sequences. ON THE NET: Official WB Shop Link @ http://bit.ly/U6y8Vh * Official Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/QueenOfTheDamnedMovie * View the video clips "My Love" @ http://youtu.be/niSzUbZw1dA and "Famous" @ http://youtu.be/74QGZwbKq8A